CULTURE
Mauritian culture , like any culture worldwide , makes a country and its people unique . The culture on the island is based on the diversity of the population and is expressed through literature , dance , music , local crafts , religion , and tradition . You can experience this from the door of your luxury villa in Mauritius .
Music Music plays a big part in Mauritian culture and the most listened to styles are Séga , Reggae and Seggae . Séga is a musical expression of the way of life in Mauritius : amusement , bright , and happy . Originally used to express the pain and sensuality of African slaves torn from their land , it is now a festive tropical dance . Women wear large coloured skirts and men a baggy shirt and wide pants .
Traditionally , it is accompanied by a cylindrical drum , the ravanne , a triangle and a maravane ( box filled with seeds that , once shaken , produces a creaking sound ). Nowadays , it is played with modern instruments such as bass , guitar or drums . Séga ’ s well-known singers are Fanfan , Serge Lebrasse , Ti Frére , Michel Legris and Marlène Ravaton . The music has been passed on from generation to generation and is appreciated by all members of the community . Tourists are often invited to join this cheerful dance barefoot when they visit the island .
Religion There is no official religion within Mauritius as the population is so diverse . Christians , Hindus , Buddhists , Muslims and others from all around the world live in unity and appreciate the different practices of all religions in Mauritius . The island is full of churches , mosques , and temples . In this plurality of religious practices , the main populations are Hindu and Tamil . Once a year , there is a big pilgrimage to the most sacred site in Grand Bassin , near the lake bordered by a huge statue of Shiva .
The second religion of the island , Islam represents 20 % of the population and is reflected in the many mosques in which ceremonies are celebrated during the night of Cha ’ baan , for the beginning of Ramadan or the night of Mir ’ aa for the ascent to the heavens of Muhammad .
And finally , Buddhism appears as the fourth religion and is divided into three religious groups : Cantonese , Hakkas and Foukiénois . This culture has its own festivals : the Lantern Festival and the Chinese New Year .
Tradition Like everywhere in the world , Mauritius has its own traditions . The “ Sundowner ” - literally the “ sunset ” - is a traditional weekend and holiday ritual during which the Mauritians meet on the beach to enjoy the last rays of the sun : a very pleasant moment , especially in summer .
Otherwise , every year , Mauritius organises the traditional event , sports , cultural and eco-responsible Mauritius : the Regatta . Fishermen embark on their regatta canoe , made of meranti wood or black wood and repainted for the occasion .
Literature Mauritius is known as an island that is a mine for inspiration which highlights why so many great writers go there to seek insight and be influenced by the beauty of this island . Natacha Appanah , Edouard Maunick , Lindsey Collen , Khal Torabully , and Eddy J . Changkye are all Mauritian writers who transform the beauty of the island into novels and poetry .
The most famous novel set in Mauritius is ‘ Paul et Virginie ’ written by French author Bernardin de Saint Pierre . First published in 1787 , this novel tells the story of two young lovers and covers matters such as society in Mauritius and slavery during the French colonial period . The novel brings to life the issues on the island , the beautiful landscape , and the Mauritian lifestyle .